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Australian Open: Sabalenka defeats Rybakina to win first Grand Slam
Overcoming a history of buckling under the pressure of late-round Grand Slam tennis, Sabalenka, the powerful 24-year-old from Belarus, converted on her fourth championship point to win her first major singles title defeating Elena Rybakina in a tense three-setter in the Australian Open women’s final.
Sabalenka is no longer afraid of big stages.
It was a match that had everything: power, finesse, drama, and ultimately, a deserving winner.
Sabalenka, who had never before progressed beyond the semifinals of a Grand Slam, started the match brightly and broke Rybakina's serve in the third game. Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, broke back immediately, but Sabalenka broke her again in the seventh game to take the first set 6-3.
The second set was even tighter, with both players holding serve until the 12th game. Sabalenka finally broke Rybakina's serve to take the set 7-5 and move one set away from victory.
The third set was a see-saw affair, with both players breaking serve twice. Sabalenka eventually broke Rybakina's serve for the third time in the set to take the match 6-3, 6-4, and win her first Grand Slam title.
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